*Updated March 7, 2012 to include this tip from Diane
I got the impression that you should never use your cameo with the blade set higher than 3. If you look at the presets, none of them use a blade setting higher than 3.
When I called Silhouette about a defective blade, they mentioned that people should not be cutting even thin chipboard or anything that heavy with the cameo. It was about 2 months ago, but I thought I remember the person saying that the higher numbers on the blade holder shouldn’t be used, even though they were there. It doesn’t really make sense to me to have higher numbers if they shouldn’t be used.
I can confirm that Silhouette customer service told me not to use the blade above a 3 setting or else I’d risk damaging it. However, there are some papers that I just can’t get to cut on 3 so I do change it according to the chart below. Just remember to use the blade settings at your own risk. I agree with Diane, if they tell us not to use it above a 3 setting then why give us the guidelines with higher settings. ?? I’m baffled by this. (Kat)
Original Post
As a relatively new Cameo user, I have found a complete lack of information available with regard to the blade settings for different types of paper/card stock so I decided to start compiling one myself. I have scoured the internet, the Cameo user’s manual and my limited experiences with the Cameo to create this guide in the hopes that it will be helpful to other new Cameo users. I will update this guide periodically so be sure to bookmark this page so that you can refer back to it later. You can also subscribe to my blog via email in the right column over there —–> so that when I update the blog you will receive an email letting you know. I will also be adding tips and tricks that I have learned or found to make using your Silhouette Cameo a fun and easy experience!
I hope that you will help me by adding any information you may have that is not listed here either by sending me an email or leaving a comment. So let’s get started!
Links
The Silhouette Cameo Manual is located here.
Silhouette Customer support is located here.
Silhouette Plus Message Forum is located here.
Tips From the Manual
Cutting Speed: To achieve the best results, slower speeds may be recommended for thicker materials or designs that are more intricate.
Thickness Settings: Thicker materials will likely require higher Thickness levels.
Tips from Cameo users
Use the “normal” cutting settings for heavy cardstock BUT with the blade set on 4. This will prevent the blade from getting jammed with paper bits..
Problems and Solutions
Problem: The mat is too sticky.
Solution: Take a tshirt and pat/rub it on the mat to remove some of the stickiness, works like a charm!
Problem: I hate the Silhouette Cameo Mat and it’s expensive what can I do?
Solution: If the steps above didn’t fix your mat and you are still unhappy, you can use a cricut mat with your cameo. You will have to cut the sides down a little to make it fit but it will work like a charm once you do.
Silhouette Cameo Blade Settings Guide
The only information that the manual provides is as follows:
| Blade Setting | Material |
| 1 | Thin materials such as vinyl and smooth heat transfer material |
| 2-3 | Medium-weight materials such as paper, cardstock and flocked heat transfer material |
| 4-6 | Thicker materials such as textured cardstock and pattern papers |
| 7-10 | Thick materials such as canvas |
If you have used the Cameo then you know that that is just not detailed enough because of the different weight and texture of each type of card stock. I am compiling a list of papers and the recommended blade settings for each paper. If you have one that is not listed here, please let me know by emailing me or leaving a comment and I’ll add it to the guide.
TIP: To figure out the blade and thickness settings, I recommend that you use the “test cut” feature which cuts a small square with a triangle on your paper. This will let you know if the settings are correct or if they need adjusting. Always start with the blade setting low and use double cut before going up to a higher number. By not doing so, you run the risk of breaking off the tip of the blade. (I was told this by Silhouette Technical Support). So let’s say you start out with your blade depth set at 3 and it doesn’t cut all the way through, first try it with double cut and if that doesn’t work, then try setting it at 4. If 4 doesn’t work, try double cut again and if that doesn’t work, then try 5, etc.
| Paper Type | Blade Setting |
| American Crafts | 4 |
| Bazzill | 4 (double cut) |
| Coredinations | 4 (double cut) |
| DCWV | 4 (double cut) |
| Joanns | 3 |
| Momenta *New 6/6/2012 | 4 (double cut) |
| PaperTrey Ink | 5 |
| Recollections | 3 |
| Stampin’ Up | 5 |
| Silhouette Magnet Paper | Blade 4, Speed 1, Thickness 30 |
If these settings don’t work for you or you use different settings, please let me know either by email or by leaving a comment. Thanks!
Cameo Blade Settings for Vinyl – I got this information from Expressions Vinyl
| Vinyl Type | Speed | Thickness | Blade Setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor Vinyl – Oracal 631 Outdoor Vinyl – Oracal 651 Specialty Vinyl – Oracal 751 Specialty Vinyl – Oracal 951 Patterned Vinyl Heat Transfer – Easyweed |
8 | 9 | 2 |
| Chalkboard Vinyl Dry Erase Vinyl Inkjet Printable Vinyl – Adhesive |
8 | 9 | 3 |
| Heat Transfer – Stripflock Inkjet Printable with Laminate |
5 | 33 | 3 |
| Patterned Vinyl with Laminate | 8 | 15 | 3 |
| Dusted Crystal | 3 | 14 | 1 |
Blade Settings for Freezer Paper ( Thanks to Krafting Kelly)
Speed 3, Thickness 10, Blade 1
More Help
If you’ve tried all of these tips and settings and nothing works for you you may want to try this which is from the Studio Calico message forum.
Launch the silhouette studio software
Go to file and click preferences
Under preferences you will see a tab that says advanced, click it
On the bottom right hand side you will see a column that says packet size
Click on the 500 bytes button do that it is selected
Press okay
Their explanation to me is that some machines are not able to handle the default setting of 3000 bytes.
I hope this guide helps you, as always I welcome your feedback! Have a great day!
Thanks for sharing! I am always trying to remember the settings.
Great post! I’m just getting to know my Cameo. 🙂
Hi Kat,
Thank you so much for sharing such helpful information!!! 🙂 I just got my Cameo for Christmas and am only now taking it out of the box…
Thanks again,
Jennifer
This is GREAT info. I will be sharing the link to your blog on mine this week as I think it’s a fabulous resource!! Thank you for sharing it!
Wow- awesome tips! We’ve been doing something similar at http://www.silhouettecameoguide.com with troubleshooting ideas , including how to bring the stick back to your mat. LOVE your suggestions on blade settings – thank you!!
Thank you!! I can’t tell you how many hours I have spent trying to find directions. This will really help!!
Thanks for sharing this! Very useful to have the blade settings handy for different cardstock.
Thank you so much for the info! Very helpful!!
Thanks I am always fighting with the problem of blade settings..this was very helpful:)
Thank you about 1000 times. I have been fighting with my Cameo since January. I can’t send it back because I live in Paraguay. I won’t tell you how much it costs to call their support line from here. Today I found the one little paragraph you have about File – Preferences – Advanced – 500 bytes. That did it. That was the magic key for me. I want to cry I am so happy. I have never seen that anywhere else. It needs to be on the Silhouette America blog. It is awesome and you wouldn’t believe how well my machine works now. Now, if I can just figure out what “Thickness” is, I will be in tall cotton. Thank you so much.
Great tips. I’ve been frustrated about cutting thicker paper. For Momenta cardstock, use a 4 and a double cut. 🙂
I bought from Joann’s their 65# card stock but it just wants to rip on 3 and 33 settings on my Cameo. Paper also wanted to stick to mat I cleaned and resprayed my mat but same results. Also cut the same design out on a little heavier card stock and it cut fine. Any suggestions?
How do you do a double cut setting on the cameo? Also, what setting do you use for regular printer paper? Thanks!
This has been so helpful! I keep referring back to this page – I just got a Cameo and these tips have been super great. Thanks so much!
Thank YOU! I just found this, what a great bit of tips!
Good info! What settings would I do for craft paper? Kids, colored craft paper? I tried cutting an intricate snowflake. Not only did it stick to my matt, but the blade didn’t cut in all areas of the snowflake and then overcut or chopped it up in some. What can you suggest? I just bought it and I’m already frustrated 🙁
Thank you for posting all of this great info! I just received my Cameo last night and was looking for info when I found you! Thank you for sharing all of this!
Someone on a Facebook group prefers using the Sizzix eClips mats over the Cricut mats. She wrote that the pre printed grid on the eClips mat lines up perfectly with the Silhouettes Studio software compared to the Cricut mat. I think that might be important for someone who paper pieces their mats for cutting purposes.
Thank you for the settings – got my cameo as a Christmas present and the learning curve is steep.
This information is so helpful. Thank you! 🙂
Has anyone worked with paper that has glitter? I just got a Cameo and tried to cut using a nice holiday paper with glitter areas and the glitter kept catching and the paper moved 🙁
I use pow gitter paper or DCWV Glitzy Glitz glitter paper and it cuts fine. It sounds like your mat isnt’ sticky enough. Try a new mat 🙂 What kind of glitter paper are you using and what settings are you at?
Hello I am new to the Silhouette Cameo. I’m not sure what the black cartridge thingy is called, sorry, but it stays still, as in the far left…even when I click on cut it will only move slightly not all the way to the right? I called Silhouette support and they said it was off and would send me instructions on how to fix it, but still have not heard from them. Please help! thank you!
I would call them again, their support is very good, if you call during the day someone should either walk you through it or send you instructions via email. I’m sorry but I don’t know how to fix that.
Kat, just discovered your site and read your posts on cut settings. Thank you so much for doing all of this research for all of us. I appreciate the time you spent doing this. I have printed this out and am going to follow these suggestions to see if my cutting improves. For the most part I have trouble getting a clean cut of designs that include lettering or writing. So I am going to give these settings a try. Thank You!
Just received a Cameo for Christmas and needless to say i’m a little frustrated. Thanks for the tips. I’m going to give it another try today and see if I can get it to cut for me. I’m using SU paper (I’m a SU demo) and it’s not cutting completely through and especially with detailed images. Thanks again!
For stampin up paper I always choose “Coverstock” and set my blade to 6. It will double cut if you use the coverstock setting. Good luck!
Renee, I bought my Cameo when they first came out 2 years ago, or 3. I hand carried it back to my home in Paraguay. The first few months, I was so frustrated, but I was determined to figure it out. I LOVE my Cameo and use it all the time. Be patient with your learning curve. I cut mostly cardstock, Stampin Up and Bazzill and various patterned papers. I normally keep my blade set on 5. I do a lot of double cutting particularly on high quality paper like Stampin Up. And it helps to keep your speed low at 3 or lower unless you are doing rectangles, circles or other simple stuff. Learn how to clean your blade. That is important. Stay with it. It will be worth it. Check out YouTube for great videos. You will love your machine!
I was having trouble with oracal 631 with these settings. The blade kept pulling up the small details. I tried changing the blade setting to 1, but that barely scratched the vinyl. Finally I dropped the thickness setting from 9 to 7 and it works much better now! Hope this helps anyone having problems with detailed vinyl work!
Thank you for sharing this with us!
Wow – strange that they say not to use it with the blade higher than 3. I have never heard of that. I have stencils i make and the plastic i use has to be on a 10 and double cut too. I have made a 100 or so of them and haven’t had any problems.
Thank you so much for your advice on settings. I have had the blade on 10 and not able to achieve a clean cut. I have now changed that to 5 and doing a double cut and it works a treat!
Just as sewing machines are not one setting fits all as far as tension and pressure …my gut feeling is the electronic cutters are also not “one size fits all”. My machine is a few years old and was given to me Last spring by a neighbor who was moving…it was for all intents and purposes brand new…and she said she never was able to “get it going”. I’m a button pusher and clicker when it comes to technology, ( and I’m almost 70 YO!) …so after reading a lot, and playing with a variety and of designs, details and paper types…started to adjust things. Here is what I’ve learned about getting my cameo to cut like a charm:
1. I slowed down the bytes my laptop sends to my machine. There is something out on the Internet on this…google it! It was an incredibly simple tweak that turned the corner for me. This was without a doubt the most important thing I did.
2. Kicked speed up to between 6-8. (at higher speeds, my cameo actually works quieter!)
3. Started using cricut mats. They are thicker. They raise the paper closer to the blade.
4. Find that my blade setting also works best between the 6-8 setting.
5. Clean the blade frequently…and bought a paintbrush to use for that purpose, and another large one to use on the cutting surface and track. Rarely get a paper jam! Keep machine covered when not using to cut down on paper dust settling on the track.
Love love the cameo and the design store. Don’t be afraid of messing up. Decide you may need to try a few things to get going…even replace a mat and or blade…and cut through a pile of paper to learn. It’s worth it.
BTW…I’m still on the original blade…..invested in a can of repositionable spray adhesive which is working super well and is cheap compared to new mats. Still using my original 2 cricut mats purchased over the summer but had to toss 2 silhouette mats. The surface did not hold up and was peeling on both of them. I’m amazed at the details I can cut with these changes…still using the original blade.
I loved this post! I’ve been using my Silhouette Portrait for print and cut stickers, but my Cameo just arrived and I’m planning to cut vinyl for Christmas presents for the first time! I’m nervous! Anyway, I found this post through a google search… I’m commenting because I wanted to bring this other website to your attention. If they have your permission or if you’ve seen this before, just ignore me lol. This site has your post copied almost word for word: http://memoryworks.wordpress.com/2014/03/25/silhouette-cameo-cutting-tips-settings-for-cutting-different-materials/
I’ve not been asked permission for anyone to copy my post but I’m not sure what I can do about it. Thanks for letting me know though. I’m glad the post helped you 🙂
This was a big help! I just couldn’t get my settings right. Thanks.
I’m quite frustrated tonight; bought a new cutting blade and mat but it just won’t cut it right. With the previous blade I always had to use blade 8 or 9 for cardstock but I’ve heard it should be lower. Even on 5 or 6 with double cut the blade just won’t cut trough the whole paper, so I have to cut it myself afterwards. Do you have any tips?
I would take the blade out and try a new one, it sounds like it may be faulty or isn’t installed correctly.
I had a similar problem and found that I was cutting on advanced with the color settings. following the color, it states what type of medium you are cutting. Even though I had set my blade and such on cardstock, the medium following the color said Heat Transfer Vinyl. Once I clicked on that and changed it to cardstock, it cut beautifully.
Thank you for the blade settings for 751C. I had received some scraps from a local sign shop and ruined a nice size piece because it did not cut all the way through on the settings I have always used for 631 and 651. I googled and found your page. You have saved my sanity, what there is left!
Thanks for these.. I think my machine has a mind of its own because my autoblade NEVER cuts the chosen material properly. I have thrown out so many supplies due to this error..I replace blades and follow guides verbatim yet I have problems with stencil material (Silhouette) Contact paper (using exactly what other blogs suggest as well as a variety of paperstock. My biggest thorn has been Inkpress Media’s Inkjet Printable Vinyl with a laminate on top.. I nearly threw the whole Cameo out my window lol. I want to make tons of items and I am limited to only those items I have been able to tweak properly. I have yet to cut anything using the Cameo 3 where the autoblade actually cut without me adjusting it. It can be frustrating and i wish I hadn’t replaced my other machine because I never had issues like this. Thank you again as this post has helped me redefine a couple of more settings 🙂
Hello! Thanks for sharing these information. I hope you could help me. I just got my Cameo 3 weeks ago and it’s been frustrating already. I have been trying to figure out the best settings in cutting vinyls (sister easy weed) for t-shirt making. It’s not working for me. I tried the settings listed here but it’s still cutting the vinyl all the way through. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance.
This is a great blog, thank you for your information!
I just got my cameo 3 2 days ago and I can’t get it to cut laminated cardstock. I’ve try the blade settings from 5-7 and speeds from 1-5 and it just doesn’t work. It barley marks the laminated sheet. Any tips on how to fix it?
Thank you!
I’m so sorry but I don’nt have the cameo anymore and I don’t remember. I use the Brother Scan n Cut now. But if you google cameo 3 blade settings that may help? I wish I could be of more assistance.
Hi, this is very helpful, thanks. I want to give you feedback on the Oracal 951 metallic settings. I started with the values you had, but my NEW autoblade didn’t begin to get through the vinyl. Long story short, I ended up with blade=2, force=25,, speed=2, passes=2, with line segment overcut ON. Many thanks for your great work,
Sandy